August 2009

  • Bat-Manga!: The Secret History of Batman in Japan

    By akgoemans on 8/20/09 9:05am
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    BatmanBatmanThis one is for comic book fans all over the world. It's called Bat-Manga!: The Secret History of Batman in Japan and it represents a delightful mix of Western and Japanese comic culture.

    Bat-Manga itself is a tribute to the Batman craze that existed in Japan in the 1960s. The 400 page book is a collection dedicated to this superhero and was put together by comic book collectors Chip Kidd and Geoff Spear. The contents of the book range from memorabilia from that time period as well as a particular shonen manga series that ran for a few years. Keep an eye out for glimpses of a Chinese Batman; Kidd presented snippets of his project at Comic-Con prior to its release and turns out he talked a bit about a Bat-Manwah!


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  • Movies based on Manga

    By akgoemans on 8/11/09 9:30am
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    Antique BakeryAntique BakeryHow do you know when a manga has reached a wide enough audience? I suppose it is when the beloved manga becomes adapted into a new-fanged live action movies or series. This is, after all, a debatable point. Some absolutely mind-blowing manga has been overshadowed by superficial drivel whereby the latter receives a few movie deals and perhaps a stationary selling deal. On the other hand, some noteworthy comics have made it to the big screen, showing that truly creative works can sometimes reach beyond its niche market. Here is my list of manga series that was made into live action movies:



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  • Masters in Manga?

    By akgoemans on 8/6/09 3:07am
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    Manga art on the pcManga art on the pcFor those who argue that university courses are outdated and 'not with it', check out this bit of news. Kyoto Seika University recently announced a masters program in manga studies for 2010!

    This is a manga lover's dream come true. Can you imagine learning about the cogs and wheels that make up a manga story? Discovering the art forms and stylistic touches behind it? That's not work, that is an extended vacation where you potter around with your favorite hobby.

    Photo source:Steve Keys via Flickr



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